Bringing the IoT to Life with Bluetooth® Technology? We want you!

Bluetooth SIG Opens the Bluetooth Breakthrough Award Call for Entries

Kirkland, Washington – May 13, 2014 – The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has officially opened the call for submissions for the Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards 2015. The Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards celebrate the best Bluetooth enabled products and applications available on the market today, and recognise innovative prototypes coming soon. The Bluetooth SIG, along with award platinum sponsors CSR, Frontline Test Equipment, Inc., and Nordic Semiconductor ASA, welcomes submissions representing the most innovative and creative use, and the best implementation, of Bluetooth technology. The programme has four categories:  Product, Application, Prototype, and Student-led Projects.

“Bluetooth technology, in particular Bluetooth Smart, is fueling innovation in practically every vertical imaginable - from in-home healthcare to automotive, from sports (both team and individual) to home automation – bringing the Internet of Things to life,” said Suke Jawanda, Bluetooth SIG CMO. “The Bluetooth Breakthrough Awards are a way to shine a light on the brilliant companies, entrepreneurs, hobbyists and students using Bluetooth technology to create the future.”

Finalists will be revealed at the Bluetooth SIG’s media event on January 5, 2015, during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The overall winner, along with the category winners, will be announced from Mobile World Congress (MWC) on March 1, 2015, in Barcelona, Spain.

PRIZES
All finalists will be featured by the Bluetooth SIG at media events throughout the winter and spring of 2015. Additionally, finalists will be able to display the Bluetooth Breakthrough Award logo on websites, product packaging and marketing collateral. Finalists will also receive development kits from CSR and Nordic Semiconductor.

The Product, Application and Prototype category winners will be invited to attend a media event at MWC with the Bluetooth SIG to highlight their product to the hundreds of international media in attendance.

The Student category winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 USD.

The overall winner will also be awarded two round trip tickets to attend Bluetooth World 2015 in April, with entry into the event and free exhibition space, valued at $12,500 USD.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
All products must use Bluetooth technology and be available for promotion starting January 5, 2015. Entrants are encouraged to submit a one-two minute video highlighting their product, application or prototype at work. Entries will be judged based on uniqueness of the idea, ease of use, and correct use of Bluetooth trademarks. Entries with incomplete information will not be considered. Additional category specific criteria include the following:

Breakthrough Products – Entries must be for products launched in 2014 and available for purchase. Submissions will be judged on level of innovation and unique or intriguing uses of the technology. Products must be qualified and listed according to the Bluetooth SIG Qualification process. This category is only open to Bluetooth SIG members.

Breakthrough Applications – Entries must be for software applications launched and available for download in 2014. Applications will be evaluated on the innovative functionality of the application when interacting with the expanding breadth of Bluetooth enabled devices. This category is only open to Bluetooth SIG members.

Breakthrough Prototypes – Entries must be for Bluetooth products and applications in development that have a workable prototype. This category is open to Bluetooth SIG members and non-members.

Breakthrough Students – Entries must be in concept or prototype format for consideration. Entrants must be actively enrolled high school, college-level, or post-graduate students. Student submissions will benefit from a letter of recommendation from a teacher or professor. Entrants under the age of 18 will be required to have a signed release form from a parent or guardian.

The deadline for submissions is December 5, 2014. Review units need to be shipped to 202 South Lowell Lane, 78733, Austin, TX, and must be received by December 8, 2014. The online nomination form can be accessed here or through Bluetooth.org. Questions about the programme can be directed to Lindsay Peattie, Bluetooth SIG global events and brand manager, at [email protected].